PREVALENCE OF UPPER EXTREMITY MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS AMONG TRAINED AND UNTRAINED WEIGHTLIFTERS OF GUJRANWALA

Abstract

Background: Weightlifting is a competitive sport that is played by many people. The basis of performing such exercise is to increase the mass of muscle and symmetry. The risk of injury during heavy lifting at work or during free time is a well-recognized problem. Injuries may occur due to heavy weightlifting in extreme joint positions. Older weightlifters may sustain greater percentages of joint sprains and muscle strains during resistance training, while younger athletes would bear a greater percentage of injuries linked to accidents. Objectives: The objective is to find the prevalence of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders among Gujranwala's trained and untrained weightlifters. Methodology: It was a comparative cross-sectional study. A convenient sampling technique was used. A sample size of 180 participants was taken. Standard Nordic questionnaire and Quick Dash Questionnaire were used. Results: This study showed that a high percentage of weightlifters had difficulty in performing their regular tasks and jobs due to pain in their neck region. The maximum frequency of MSK Disorders was found in the shoulder region among untrained weightlifters and 41.1% felt symptoms in the last 7 days while exercising. A high percentage (38.9%) of weightlifters felt symptoms in the last 3 months. Overall results of the study show that Upper Limb Musculoskeletal Disorders were seen as common in both trained and untrained weightlifters with no significant difference between the both. Conclusion: All the findings of the study strongly support that the untrained weightlifters showed slightly more prevalence in MSK disorders of the shoulder region, wrist, and hand as compared to trained weightlifters.